Pope Francis accepted the renunciation to the pastoral government of the diocese of Cartago, Colombia, tendered by Monsignor Jose Alejandro Castano Arbelaez, reported yesterday, October 31, 2020, the Holy See Press Office.
According to the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (ECC), Monsignor Castano Arbelaez tendered his renunciation last April, after his 75th birthday, the canonical age at which such a request can be made to the Holy Father.
The Episcopate also informed that the Pope appointed Monsignor Jose Roberto Ospina Leon-Gomez, Bishop of Buga, as Apostolic Administrator of Cartago.
Monsignor Jose Alejandro Castano Arbelaez
Monsignor Castano was born in La Ceja, Antioquia, today jurisdiction of the particular Church of Sonson Rionegro, on April 1, 1945.
His primary schooling was in Medellin. He began his Bachelor’s studies in the Lyceum of the University of Antioquia and, having joined the Order of Augustinians Recollects, he continued his studies in the La Linda Apostolic College of Manizales, studies that he concluded in the Convent of the Desert of Calendaria.
He studied Philosophy in the Convent of Seba, Bogota, and Theology in the Pontifical Xaverian University. He received a Licentiate in Theology from the latter in 1971.
After his Ordination in 1976, he finished his specialization studies in Theology of Religious Life and in Biblical Theology in Madrid.
He took the habit in the Order of Augustinians Recollects on December 29, 1962, in the Convent of the Desert of Candelaria. He made his solemn profession on January 28, 1967, in the Convent of Suba and received the Order of the Presbyterate on December 8, 1971, from the hands of the then Bishop of Zipaquira, Monsignor Ruben Buitrago Trujillo.
